John 16:22
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
3 of 24
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
μὲν
G3303
μὲν
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
5 of 24
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
νῦν
now
G3568
νῦν
now
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
6 of 24
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
ἔχετε·
have
G2192
ἔχετε·
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
7 of 24
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
8 of 24
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
ὄψομαι
I will see
G3700
ὄψομαι
I will see
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
10 of 24
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
χαρήσεται
shall rejoice
G5463
χαρήσεται
shall rejoice
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
13 of 24
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδία
heart
G2588
καρδία
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
16 of 24
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐδεὶς
no man
G3762
οὐδεὶς
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
21 of 24
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
αἴρει
taketh
G142
αἴρει
taketh
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
22 of 24
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
Cross References
1 Peter 1:8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:Acts 13:52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.John 16:6But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.2 Thessalonians 2:16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,Isaiah 25:9And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.Acts 16:25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.Acts 2:46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,Psalms 146:2While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.Hebrews 10:34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.Hebrews 6:18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Historical Context
Within 72 hours, Jesus's words were vindicated. Sunday morning, He appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18), then the disciples (John 20:19-20). Their sorrow explosively transformed to joy—"Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord" (John 20:20). That joy sustained them through subsequent persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom. Stephen died rejoicing (Acts 7:59-60), Paul and Silas sang in prison (Acts 16:25), apostles were beaten yet "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer" (Acts 5:41). Rome crucified Peter, beheaded Paul, exiled John—yet couldn't extinguish their joy. Twenty centuries of church history validate this promise: resurrection joy is indestructible.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the difference between happiness (dependent on circumstances) and joy (rooted in Christ's resurrection), and why can no one take the latter from you?
- How does Jesus's promise 'I will see you again' provide hope during seasons when God seems absent or distant?
- In what practical ways can you cultivate resurrection-based joy that circumstances cannot destroy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And ye now therefore have sorrow (καὶ ὑμεῖς οὖν νῦν μὲν λύπην ἔχετε/kai hymeis oun nyn men lypēn echete)—Jesus acknowledges present reality. Νῦν (nyn, "now") contrasts with coming joy. He doesn't minimize their grief but validates it as temporary.
But I will see you again (πάλιν δὲ ὄψομαι ὑμᾶς/palin de opsomai hymas)—the future middle voice ὄψομαι (opsomai, "I will see") indicates Jesus's initiative. He will appear to them post-resurrection, not merely they seeking Him. This emphasizes Christ's active role in restoration.
And your heart shall rejoice (καὶ χαρήσεται ὑμῶν ἡ καρδία/kai charēsetai hymōn hē kardia)—future passive voice indicates divine action. God will cause joy to arise within them. Καρδία (kardia, "heart") encompasses mind, will, emotions—the whole inner person transformed.
And your joy no man taketh from you (καὶ τὴν χαρὰν ὑμῶν οὐδεὶς αἴρει ἀφ' ὑμῶν/kai tēn charan hymōn oudeis airei aph' hymōn)—present tense αἴρει (airei, "takes away") with emphatic negative οὐδείς (oudeis, "no one") declares the permanence of resurrection joy. Circumstances, persecution, even death cannot remove what Christ's resurrection secures. This is categorical: no person, no power can rob believers of joy rooted in the risen Christ.